Two members of parliament from a regional organisation are arriving in Malaysia today to investigate the reasons behind the arrests of 10 reformasi activists - four of whom have been released last week - under the Internal Security Act.

Vice-chair for the [#1]Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia[/#] (Arda) Dr Sunjaasuren Oyun, who is an MP in Mongolia, is being accompanied by Tiolong Saumura, a Cambodian MP and former deputy governor of the Central Bank in Cambodia, on the two-day visit.

"The Malaysian government should know that the eyes of democrats across Asia are on them," said Oyun in a statement.

"In a country that claims to be a democracy, the arrest of political opponents without charge, counsel or family visits is unacceptable and unconscionable," she added.

Ten Keadilan leaders and reformasi activists were arrested in a police dragnet beginning April 10, allegedly for being involved in a 'militant attempt' to overthrow the government.

Meetings sought

The delegation has requested to meet with the six detainees still held under police custody, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, government officials, members of the opposition and human rights activists.

The delegates would be calling for a press conference after their meetings.

ARDA was formed in October last year and consists of politicians, activists and academics from 13 countries in Asia "to support democracy and human rights on a regional basis".

Chaired by Singapore Democratic Party secretary-general Dr Chee Soon Juan, key members of the organisation include Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy, Taiwanese presidential adviser Yao Chia-wen and Sirinun Senekant of Thailand's Democrat Party.